Of Turtles and Butterflies

Lest you lose sleep over the sad summer prospects for my children, I did muster up the energy to take my kids to the zoo last week.

We checked out the new Galapagos turtles. They're only babies now, but they're supposed to get huge--maybe like this one? Righteous!

And they live to be 150 years old. Du-ude.

And then we met up with some friends in the butterfly pavilion

And we had great success in catching the butterflies this time!

Hello, pretty butterfly!

Then off to the dino dig to play in the sand with their friends and get sufficiently filthy.

What We Do In the Summer Time

Everywhere we go, people keep asking my children what they've been doing this summer. And then, invariably, they ask (very excitedly) if they've been to the pool. They can see that I have a new baby. And if they looked at me, they'd see that I haven't washed my hair in five days and that the bags under my eyes are big enough to qualify as carry-on luggage.

Why would they think I have the energy (or motivation) to take my children swimming at the pool? And why? WHY would they plant the idea in my children's heads that we should be going swimming at the pool?

Thank you so much, random strangers. Thank you.

We are trying to make this summer fun for them, though.

Practicing on her scooter--she's got perma-wounds on her knees as evidence

She does this any and every chance she gets. Even if it's only around the inside of the garage.

And this little man has mastered riding his bike

So cute!

But he does require a little assistance from time to time

We went so far and so fast, we wore her out

I wish. She's actually just refusing to go on as she protests her new harness. The "gentle leader". She doesn't like it one bit. But it makes it possible for the kids to walk her without getting dragged behind her every time she sees something interesting.

No one enjoys these little outings of ours more than this one.

Soooo Big!

Does anyone else play that game with their babies? So fun!

Anyway, Treyton hit two months last week--where is the time going?!

Here's how big he is all stretched out

And here he is sporting his ever-present grin. I just adore this little guy!

See those sad bandaids on his poor little thighs? He got three shots. And he cried much harder than his older siblings did at his age. Kayli never seemed bothered until the last shot. Then she'd give a little whimper and move on. My favorite was the time she turned to the pediatrician with her chubby little face and sternly told him, "NO!" as he gave the final injection. Not that watching my kids get shots is enjoyable, but it was so adorable!

Back to this Sweet Cheeks, though. He weighed in at 12 lbs. 5 oz. (50th percentile) and 24 in. (90th percentile). Imagine that, a tall kid in our family.

And he got the official test for dairy intolerance. It came back positive. At least we caught it before it really started to bother him. The pediatrician said he should outgrow it by 6 to 9 months. Or almost for sure by 12 months. And she said this like she was comforting me. A year without dairy, how reassuring.

Anyway, he's growing so quickly, he's decided he's ready to sit and eat with the rest of us.

Feed me!

Mmmm... don't you just want to kiss those cheeks?!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Actually, it was gone on Monday. Kayli's hair, that is. She was growing it out to do Locks of Love again, but no one hates having their head touched more than this child. Which made shampooing, conditioning, combing, and blow drying a nightmare for both of us. Don't get me started on attempting to style it. So, I've been telling her for a while that she didn't have to do L of L. I think it's a great thing, but she doesn't have to suffer so much for it.

So, when she decided she'd had enough, I didn't try to persuade her otherwise.

It is a shame that someone with such gorgeous thick hair doesn't appreciate it, but she is only 5.

This kiddo did awesome. He played happily--and nicely!--the whole time. It helps that it's a salon designed for kids so there are a ton of fun toys. But he really is becoming a sweet kid again. Hurray!

Not the best picture of her cute new cut, but she really wanted to get her token lollipop and balloon. She loves it and it's great for the summer. But her hair dresser certainly mourned the lost hair as she swept it up.

Kayli hasn't missed it for a second.

Let's Here It For the Dads!

Sunday we had Father's Day!

We let him sleep in for his first gift. Apparently, a little too long because then he missed breakfast so he could make it to his meetings on time. Nothing says "Happy Father's Day" like a growling tummy.

Don't worry, I brought him some granola bars to munch on at church. The chewy kind, so he wouldn't be disruptive. Unfortunately, we have two little beggars who excel at disruptiveness.

After church we gave him some more tangible gifts.

Here he is opening Bryce's gifts.

Look at that shadow on the ceiling behind him. That's how big he is in our eyes.

Yay! The lipgloss he (Bryce) got from Santa at Christmas.

And then the gift I helped him with.

Remember when I said you could get everything "huskerized" around here?

My huskerized honey!

Then it was Kayli's turn

The purple socks she got from Santa at Christmas. The kids have already learned the joys of re-gifting.

And they've learned the joys of helping too. It's difficult for Daddy to open his own presents.

I was thinking this was one of his favorite types of candy bar. But then I realized it was mine. I let Kayli give it to him anyway.

Believe it or not, this was taken mid celebration. Happy celebration.

This was taken mid celebration, as well. When he read the awesome gift I gave him in his card.

The kids never stop helping

And I'm speechless over this one

Even with a messy face, he's still sweet!

Daddy's final gift--a nice back rub. Kayli would do anything for her daddy.

For my tribute to my dad and my sweetheart, click here.

Roomies

My 10-year high school reunion happened a couple weeks ago. I missed it. That means that almost 10 years ago I started college and met my five new roommates. We were a random bunch, but we actually hit it off pretty well and most of our weekends were spent hanging out all together.

But only one of them would watch "Saturday's Warrior" with me at 2 A.M. Hurray for BYU TV! And she also did my hair for my wedding. And moved into the duplex next door after we were both married. And came to visit me last weekend!

That's the great thing about living here--it's not the most exciting place to visit, but it's on the way to pretty much everywhere else. I bet you didn't know that about the North Pole. It's true though. So, we get to see our friends and offer them a place to stay as they are passing through. You're all invited. We do have a big basement!

She's the mama of two cute little boys.

The kids were so excited to have new friends come play.

And Bryce does not have a freaky looking left foot. That's a bone to help Zima stay out of trouble.

I think my kids overwhelmed their kids a bit

But they all played together pretty well

As long as we kept her on the opposite side of the door from wherever the kids were.

Here is a practiced papa. He couldn't have done this five years ago. He's so talented.

I don't think this requires any explanation

Thanks for the visit! We can't wait to see you again!

Who Writes the Farmer's Almanac?

Because I think they need to go back to school.

I read in the paper that the farmer's almanac said this would be a very hot and DRY summer.

These are the kind of storm clouds that come when it's hot

But not so much when it's dry

My friend took waaay better pictures of these clouds

But she has a waaaay cooler camera too

I don't think it ever takes blurry pictures like this.

But back to the Farmer's Almanac. Six inches of rain in one night is not my idea of a dry summer.

But I do love these clouds. They're amazing.

I just hope my garden didn't drown.